More than 30,000 Belgians demonstrated in capital Brussels on Sunday to protest against a possible division of the country as the impasse in forming a new government continued five months after elections.
Thousands of citizens take part in a march urging the leading politicians not to break up the country and to find a solution to form a government after a June election in Brussels on Nov. 18, 2007.
The demonstrators, many of whom dressed in the Belgian national colors -- red, yellow and black, marched through the city center. They marched to the tune of the Brabanconne, Belgium's national anthem.
Most of the demonstrators were French-speaking Walloons and residents in the capital. Some Francophone politicians also joined in, including Elio Di Rupo, chairman of the Francophone socialist party, and Joelle Milquet, chairman of the Francophone Christian democrats.
A petition was handed over to Belgium's Senate President Armand De Decker at the end of the demonstration. The petition calls on Belgium's political parties to overcome their differences and preserve the country's unity.
Over the last few days, around 140,000 people signed the Internet petition, which was initiated by a civil servant in Liege. The same person called Sunday's demonstration.
The protest came as attempts to form a new government continue to flounder 161 days after parliamentary elections. Conflicting interests of Belgium's two main regions -- French-speaking Wallonia and Flemish-speaking Flanders -- brought the country to the brink of a crisis.
The winners of the June elections, the Flemish and Francophone Christian Democrats and Liberals, are making their third try at forming a center-right alliance after two failed attempts.
Flemish politicians have been demanding more self-rule for the region, home to 60 percent of the country's population and a region richer than Wallonia. But Wallonian parties fiercely oppose it.
Some right-wing parties are calling for Flanders to declare independence.
(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2007)
